STD Symptoms in Women

This article will focus on the possible STD symptoms women can get when their vagina is exposed to possible infection.

This includes allowing their partner to insert his penis into the vagina, allowing their partner to use his/her mouth on the vagina, allowing their partner to insert any objects into the vagina including fingers and sex toys.

It is extremely important to remember that not all STDs cause symptoms in women.

One of the commonest and most important STD in women is Chlamydia. 80% of women infected with Chlamydia show no symptoms. Without treatment, it slowly damages the Fallopian tubes and can cause infertility. Sadly, many women only find out they have Chlamydia when they have problem getting pregnant. By then it could be too late. Women under the age of 24 are also more likely to get Chlamydia infection because their Cervix has not matured yet. Currently, all young women are encouraged to get regular (at least once per year) Chlamydia screening.

Another very important and common STD in women is HPV. Just like Chlamydia, most women who get infected with HPV do not show any symptoms. This can lead to Cervical Cancer. All sexually active women must get screened for HPV and are also very much encouraged to get a HPV vaccine.

1. Urinary Symptoms

This is one of the most STD symptom in women. Women can get pain or a burning sensation passing urine. They can also feel like they need to go to the toilet all the time. The symptoms actually feel very much like a bladder infection or a urine tract infection.

Sometimes, women get an ulcer on the labia from Herpes. So when they pass urine, the urine flows pass this ulcer causing pain. This can also feel like ‘pain when passing urine’.

Who are the culprits?

When do these symptoms usually appear?

Remember that most women will not get any symptoms in the first place. For those who do get symptoms, they usually appear within 2 weeks of infection. Although it can be as early as 2 days and as late as 1 month from the day of infection.

This is easily the most common symptom women get from STDs. Sometimes it is hard to tell apart from a normal discharge. If the discharge smells bad or has an odd color like green or yellow, it is more likely to be an STD. A quick guide is as follows:

Who are the culprits?

When do these symptoms usually appear?

The usual guide is 3 to 30 days. Gonorrhea usually appears much sooner. Usually within a week. Chlamydia usually appears at about 2 weeks.

3. Sexual Symptoms

– Pain during sex. During sexual intercourse, the penis usually gently hits the cervix. This should not be painful. But if the Cervix is inflamed, usually due to an STD, this can be rather painful. In fact, if the Cervix is very sensitive and tender, this could mean that the woman has PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease). This is very dangerous.

– Bleeding during or after sex. It is very common for the vagina to suffer mild abrasions and tears during intercourse and this can cause some bleeding. However, if there is an infection, the lining of the vagina will be very fragile and can break easily causing more bleeding. Also, if the Cervix is infected with HPV, it may be already turning into pre-cancer. When this happens, the Cervix will bleed much more easily especially when the penis is hitting it during intercourse.

Who are the culprits?

When do these symptoms usually appear?

This is extremely variable. It can be as early as within a few days to months.

Skin colored cauliflower growths typical of warts (HPV)

4. Skin Symptoms

– Ulcers.These are breaks or craters on the skin. They are usually white. If they are small, multiple and painful, they are likely to be caused by Herpes. If there is only 1 large painless ulcer, it is likely to be Syphilis. If it is 1 large painful ulcer especially if the lymph nodes in the groin crease are also enlarged and painful, it is like to be a Chancroid caused by the bacteria called Haemophilus Ducreyi. Sometimes, these ulcers can appear inside the vagina which makes it impossible for you to see. Only your doctor will be able to see it with an internal examination. If these ulcers are painless, like the ones due to Syphilis, you might never know you had it.

– Blisters. These are little fluid filled bubbles on the skin. If they are multiple and painful and burst to form ulcers, they are very likely to be caused by Herpes.

– Growths. Growths on the skin are usually indicate of an STD. These growth can occur anywhere including the pubic region, on the labia and even in the vagina. Sometimes they can be difficult to see. If the growths are skin colored and have an uneven surface (like a cauliflower), it is like to be a wart caused by HPV. If the growths look like little pearls stuck onto the skin, it is probably caused by Molluscum Contagiosum Virus.

– Itch.Itching can be on the skin or inside the vagina. Itching on the skin can be caused by lice or scabies. The itching caused by this is usually very severe and worse at night. Itching in the vagina can be extremely uncomfortable and can be caused by Trichomonas. However, the commonest cause of vaginal itching is still by far a yeast infection.

Who are the culprits?

When do the symptoms usually appear?

Syphilis 9 to 90 days. Herpes 1 week or months. HPV commonly 3 to 6 months but can be as early as a week.

5. General Symptoms

– Fever. This symptom is really too general to be useful. In fact, very few STDs aside from HIV actually cause a fever. So if you do have a fever, more likely than not, it has absolutely nothing to do with any STD.

– Swollen Lymph Nodes.When an area is infected, the lymph nodes will swell as part of the body’s natural reaction to help fight the infection. So if there is any infection in the vagina or pelvic region, the lymph nodes along the groin crease will likely swell and may even be a little tender. This can occur with almost any STD including Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Chancroid etc. Basically, if you notice swollen and tender lumps in your groin crease, it would be best to see your doctor asap.

– Lower abdominal pain. STDs that infect the vagina can also infect the cervix. The infection can go even further up to infect the womb (Uterus) and the Fallopian tubes. Once past the Fallopian tubes, the infection is in the pelvis and can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. Any of these conditions can cause pain in the lower tummy, just above the pubic bone. This is usually caused by Chlamydia but can also be caused by Gonorrhea, NSU, Ureaplasma, Mycoplasma etc

Women’s Health Forum

About Dr. TanDr. Tan graduated from the National University of Singapore in 2001. His residency was in the two largest public hospitals in Singapore; Tan Tock Seng Hospital and Singapore General Hospital.

20 Comments

a month ago after sleeping with my partner (using protection) I had an infection with white cottageish discharge, with thrush and a sensation when passing urine which was never painful… after my period it stopped and went back to normal no pain and normal discharge, we met again and he complained of an itch… is it possible it’s an std or a just an infection

Please consult a doctor to get a proper assessment and testing done. Thick geenish vaginal discharge could be a sign of infection. Metronidazole may not be the approripate antibiotics without finding out what exactly the infection is.http://drtanandpartners.com/where-to-find-us/

Hi , I had intercourse for my first time 2 days ago , protected. The morning after I had a little bit of blood and this morning I had the same problem . This is the only time I have blood . And I don’t have any pain peeing

Very likely the bleeding is from your broken hymen. I really do not see a reason for you to be worried. This will stop after a few days. But it may happen again the next time you have sex as the hymen may not be completely broken.

Dr.tan please help I’m 11 and I have noticed I have had a pimple like dohicki on my vagina and its sore and I have secents coming from (down below) that SME
L terribul please help and I have not had my period and I’m virgin please help I’m in pain and I act like I’m during so I get introubble and don’t worry my mom knows I have that dohicki on my vagina

Please check with your doctor about the accuracy of your tests. This depends on what tests were done and the window period. If your doctor determines that the tests are already conclusive, you do not have to be worried about HIV anymore. I don’t think you should pay too much heed to your symptoms. Simply because you cannot rely on symptoms to diagnose HIV.

hi, ive been paranoid since last week, cause i cant pee, when im peeing, theres a burning sensation(but now its gone) but i cant still pee properly. Since i have my period until now, i cant see my urine, but i drink lots of water. Idk if its UTI only but i searched about STD i got the same symptoms! Now idk what is this im feeling right now. Since i read all about stds i became more paranoid. But the other major symptoms of std, i didnt got that. Help me please 🙁

Gardnerella is not an STD. It causes bacterial vaginosis. Ureaplasma is a bit of a contorversy. It can be sexually transmitted but it can also occur out of the blue in mutually monogmaous couples. My personal stand for men is if it does not cause symptoms, don’t treat it.